Fr. Harris, what feedback have you received so far regarding this new ANS project?
I must say that the responses and testimonies received are highly encouraging. In particular, the possibility of being able to see with one's own eyes, in an immediate way, the vastness and intensity of the Salesian mission in the world, in all its facets, is much appreciated: education, youth leadership, spirituality, formation, missionary spirit. … Among the many communications received, I have one from a sister of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians: “There is an enormous amount of material to read on the web and I just can't keep up with it. The video delivers the most important news in a reasonable time. I think it is an excellent way to keep up to date on the most important events in the Salesian world. Do continue with this excellent initiative!"
For you individually, what does ANS News Video represent?
Since its inception in January 2022, for me, it has represented the opportunity to show the most important events in the life of the Congregation and the Salesian Family each month in a narrative and visual format. In this sense, it also becomes a means of expression and sharing for and with Salesian confreres, young people, our collaborators, and benefactors.
Does ANS News Video, therefore, also foster a sense of belonging to the Congregation?
Certainly! Thanks to it, it is possible to perceive the reality, the dynamism of Salesian life in each Province, and how the Salesian charism is fulfilled and lived. For example, let's look at the Provincial Chapters: we have presented at least twenty of them, allowing each reality to bring out its own internal dynamics, professionalism and seriousness in carrying out the work, adherence to the directives of the General Chapter, the involvement of the laity, the synodality of walking together, fidelity to the charism... This shows how each Province takes seriously programs and effectively carries out its mission among young people.
And in relation to Don Bosco and young people, what contribution can ANS News Video make?
The whole Salesian mission, we know, starts from Don Bosco and reaches out to young people in need. ANS News Video tries to give an account of all this: for example, in this May edition, due out today, there are reports on the gathering of middle schools at Colle Don Bosco, or the meeting of animators of the Salesian Youth Movement of Portugal, or the "Savionalia" Festival in Poland... These are events that are part of the Salesian DNA, combining music, play, sports, joy, spirituality, and that with ANS News Video can find new spaces for expression and knowledge.
In this sense, can ANS News Video also shorten the distance between the world's youth?
Exactly! Indeed, not only among young people but in general in the life of the Congregation and the Salesian Family. Since I have been curating this feature, thanks to the realities that I get to see directly in action before my eyes, I feel like I participate even more fully in the life of the individual missions, in apostolic initiatives, in solidarity... And I believe it is the same for other viewers: from February until today we have always given a report on the reality of Ukraine, on welcoming refugees or supporting the needy. Personally, for example, being able to directly see the opening of the new complex for Ukrainian displaced people in "Mariapolis," built on the outskirts of Lviv, is something that moved me. In this way, it becomes possible to stay close, to share in the suffering of a people who are suffering.
ANS News Video also always devotes a lot of space to the Rector Major...
It is inevitable: the Rector Major is the Don Bosco of today and our attention cannot be diverted from his actions and activities. That is why we have been closely following all the trips to the various continents. Through the reports on the Spiritual Exercises in Interamerica, South Cone America, Africa-Madagascar, and East Asia-Oceania, as well as in the Animation Visits to Ecuador, Zambia-Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Guinea Conakry, and Thailand, we have shown how much affection there is still around Don Bosco today and in how much cultural variety his dream is achieved.
Spirituality, holiness, missions, integral ecology... Other themes also recur in ANS News Video.
Indeed, they are: and they are because they are part of Salesian life. With ANS News Video we have given an account of the great Marian devotion that permeates the whole Salesian world - the procession in Rio Grande, Argentina, comes to mind, but also the one in Nairobi, Kenya, and Turin, of course. But we have also devoted ourselves in depth to the blessed and soon-to-be saint Artemide Zatti, to the young martyred past pupil Akash Bashir, and we will soon talk about Blessed Stephen Sandor and the Servant of God Fr. Silvio Galli. And we always keep a privileged gaze on the commitment to care for the needy and for Creation, in accordance with Pope Francis' Integral Ecology, showing the initiatives of so many Salesians in so many different realities: in schools in Taiwan, as in missions in East Timor or in Papua New Guinea...
What do you dream of for the future of ANS News Video?
I hope that it will become more and more an excellent platform to share and show the reality and beauty of the Salesian mission with young people; that it will constitute a monthly appointment expected in the communities; that it will be a source of inspiration and participation in the mission for those who watch it. And even more, may it be for all, as it is for me, a stimulus and a recharge of Salesianity!
